Taking long drawn in breathes, cool bite rattles against a damaged larynx, harsh hacking, choking, pain in chest, hernia straining, ribs aching and, (who knew there was a connection), screech of pain as thread to ovaries is hauled upon, so body doubles, hands reaching for knees. And yet, you live, you are here to remember. A sharp and beautiful clear…

Hints, tips, must haves and recommended reading — As another month draws to a close, I just wanted to address some ‘housekeeping’ issues to give our writers some ideas of the writing and presentation we need to see used for you to get published, Featured and/or Boosted via Counter Arts. When formatting your title block, we need to…

To be updated throughout the year, with links to any essays and reviews about the books on our list. ***Last added to October 10th 2023*** — To recap, I’ve drawn up our new Book Club list for 2023 . There are twelve books in said list (below), one for every month. …

A story told in several parts —

Counter Arts monthly prompt (November 2023) — As is usual, I went backwards and forwards for a while about the direction to take with the publication’s prompt for November. For us here in the UK, celebration in November means the 5th, where we set off fireworks and have our Bonfire Night. I have objections to loud banging…

A poem — Velvet black the night around Nothing to see and nary a sound Through the darkness we ascend Up the path away we wend. Cresting summit, candles flare Welcoming to those who dare Woollen cloaks, wine that’s mulled Beating drums in village dulled. This is the night when thins the Veil Our…

Includes monthly prompt for October — This week (October 1–7) is the 41st anniversary of Banned Books Week, begun in 1982 with the aim of “celebrating the freedom to read” in response to a rising amount of challenges in schools and libraries — much as there has been again in recent years, particularly in certain states…

Counter Arts Book Club (*content warning: deals with extreme bullying, suicidal ideation and upsetting scenes — read this review and the novel itself only after considering this and your own mental health please*) — “Aus der Kriegsschule des Lebens. — Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker,” — Friedrich Nietzsche, 1888, ‘Twilight of the Idols’ “Out of life’s school of war — what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.”

We are saying goodbye to one of our dedicated category sections and introducing a new one! (includes monthly prompt) — As you may have already noticed, since taking over as owner/publisher and lead editor at Counter Arts in the New Year, I’ve been phasing out our ‘Tech’ section. At first, in an effort to focus the tech work coming into our submissions list on subjects more closely aligned with the…